DataCAD cannot import a PDF directly, but you can use Adobe Reader to select information, copy it to the Windows Clipboard, and then paste it as an image into a DataCAD drawing.

To insert an image of your PDF:

Open your PDF in Adobe Reader.

Set the Zoom percentage to at least 100%.

Note:A higher percentage will result in a better quality image, but if the percentage is too high, you will get no image. Some trial and error may be required to achieve the desired result. It is OK if you cannot see the entire drawing on the screen.

Press [Ctrl]+[c] on the keyboard to Copy the information to the Windows Clipboard.

Activate your DataCAD drawing and choose Paste Special from the Edit pull-down menu.

In the Paste Special dialog, set the format to Bitmap Image and click OK.

DataCAD will display the Save Image As… dialog. Type a name for the image file and select a folder in which to save it, then click Save.

Decide whether to draw the image with an “Outline” or with “No Outline,” and whether to use a “Fixed Ratio.” Pick two points to define the rectangular box in which to display the image.

DataCAD adds an image of the PDF document to the drawing. The next step is to enlarge (or reduce) the image to the proper scale.

Calibrating Enlargements

You can enlarge or reduce imported bitmaps and vector graphics to real-world scale. For example, if you import a site map, you can use the Calibrate Distance function to enlarge the plan to real-world dimensions.

To calibrate imported bitmaps or vector graphics and enlarge to real-world size:

Select Enlarge from the Edit menu. You are prompted to Select CENTER of enlargement.

Click on the graphic you want to re-size. Options appear in the Enlarge menu.

Select Enlargement to display the calibration options.

Click on Cal. Dist.

Use your mouse to click two endpoints of a known distance in the graphic. You are prompted to Enter new distance. The current distance follows this prompt.

Replace that value with what it should be in the “real world.” For example, the current value may be 0.8, but in reality, it should be 6 feet; therefore, you would type 6 in the input field. Press [Enter]. DataCAD calculates the enlargement factor.

Right-click to return to the Enlarge menu. You are prompted to Select entity to <ENLARGE>.

Select the entity or entities that you want to enlarge by that factor.

Cal. Dist. automatically calculates an equal X/Y enlargement factor. Instead of Cal. Dist., you can use the Cal. X and Y, Cal. X, or Cal. Y options to enlarge entities independently or unequally in the X and Y directions.